Lipstick sample holder



March 3, 1953 J. MAclAs-sARRlA LIPSTICK SAMPLE HOLDER Filed Jan. 2, 1951 .NVENTOR 005E MAc|AsSHRRlR ATTORNEY Patented Mar. 3, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE LIPSTICK SAMPLE HOLDER I J os Macias-S'arria, Philadelphia, Pa.

Application January 2, 1951, Serial No. 203,867

2 Claims.

The present invention relates to the art of cosmetics and more particularly to a, mailable unit for sampling color shades of lip sticks and the like.

In the purchase of lip sticks over the counter in a store and by mail it is frequently the case that when the purchased stick is used on the lips of the user the color shade does not properly harmonize with the complexion of the user, so that the purchased stick is discarded practically unused and the user is put to the expense of purchasing another. This trial method is expensive and unsatisfactory.

An object of the present invention is to provide a unit whereby a user can sample the color of a lip stick before purchasing the stick and thus be assured of a satisfactory color shade;

Another object of the invention is to provide a mailable unit having a sample of lip stick thereon for trial by a customer in order to place an order for a matching color;

A further object of the invention is to provide a mailable unit having a numbered sample of lip stick thereon for trial purposes after which, if satisfactory, the customer can order by number or other designation lip sticks of the matching shade of the sample;

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear hereinafter, it being understood that the present invention consists substantially in the combination, construction, location and relative arrangement of parts, all as will appear more fully hereinafter, as shown in the accompanying drawings and as finally pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings,

Figure 1 represents a blank for making a lip stick sample mailing unit embodying one form of the present invention;

Figure 2 represents the same after an initial folding for mailing;

Figure 3 represents a perspective of the unit partially set up for use by a customer;

Figure 4 represents a perspective of the completed unit expanded into form ready for a trial use;

Figure 5 represents a section on line 5-5 of Figure 1;

Figure 6 represents a blank from which a modified form of the invention can be made;

Figure 7 represents the blank of Figure 6 as initially folded; and

Figure 8 represents a perspective of the complate expanded unit embodying the modification of the invention.

2 7 Referring to Figure 1 of the drawings, a blank of paper, cardboard, or other foldable material embodying one form of the present invention is shown, wherein a body blank i0 is provided with parallel creases or fold lines ii, iii, and I3, so spaced as to form the several elongated panels or sections l4, l5, l6, and I1 dimensioned to complete a foursided tube when folded along the respective lines H, i2, and 13. The section 14 has an integral extension 20 defined by fold lines l8 and Hi, the sides of which correspond in width respectively to the width of the aforesaid four sections of the blank to form an end closure for the blank when the latter is folded into a tube. Extending from the end closure section 20 is a tongue 2! which carries a staple 22 for holding a tie string 23. I In order to support a sample of lip stick, the end closure section 20 is provided on its outer face with means for retaining a small sampling 24 of the lip stick, suchmeans in the present instance comprising two crossed staples 25 and 26 arranged in such oiiset relation to the exposed face of the end closure 20 that the lip stick material can flow around and about the staples and so be set and adhesively retained in position.

In assembly the blank is initially folded along the crease line [2 as shown in Figure 2, to bring the edge 21 of the section I4 into meeting relation with the edge 28 of the section II, these meeting edges being then secured together by a strip of adhesive tape 29. When the lip stick sampling 24 is affixed to the end closure 20 of the blank and the latter is folded upon itself, as shown in Figure 2, there is provided a flat, compact unit ready for mailing to the customer. Upon receiving the unit, the customer expands it into shape to form a tube, as shown in Figure 3, whereupon the extension 20 is then folded on the crease line 18 to close the end of the tube and expose the sample 24 for lip contact, the tongue 2! being finally folded down against the side of the tube and tied in place by the string 23 to thereby form a substantial handle by which the sample can be pressed against the lips and the color shade thus tested.

In the modification shown in Figures 6, '7, and 8, the blank, crease lines, and sample extension are generally the same as described for the blank of Figure l and are, therefore, identified by the like reference numerals for like parts, since the folding steps and assembly are the same. In this modified form of the invention, however, the section I6 is formed with a transversely disposed slit 30, accurately located to receive the folded-over end of the tongue 2| for final fastening of the folded parts into the form of a substantial handle.

The unit is used as follows: The manufacturer of the lip sticks mails to the prospective customer one or more of the units in folded fiat form as shown in Figures 2 and 7, each such unit having aifixed thereto a lip stick sampling of a given color or composition. When received, the customer expands the unit into the form of an applicator for the lip stick and then samples the latter by applying it as required. If satisfactory, the customer notes the number or other designation of that sample and sends it to the manufacturer with an order to be filled with lip sticks of the shade selected from the tested sample, In consequence, waste of lip stick and the expense incident thereto are eliminated. Also, the unit is of such inexpensive construction that it may be disposed of after a single use thereof.

It will now be apparent that a complete unit for sample testing ofa lip stick color has been devised of such small, simple and inexpensive construction that it can be readily transmitted through the mails for a user to test the color, and then be disposed of by the customer when ithas served its purpose. This enables the'user to not only choose the color shade best suited for the complexion of the user but ensures the user receiving a lip stick of the exact shade selected after the number or other designation of the sample is returned to the manufacturer withthe order.

It will be understood, of course, that the present invention is susceptible of various changes and modifications which may be made without involving any departure from the general principles thereof. Thus, the number and spacing of the vertical score lines may be changed, as desired, so as to form a tubular handle of any convenient cross-sectional configuration or to facilitate rolling the scored body portion upon itself to form a handle of generally cylindrical form.

Also, while the foregoing illustratively explains the unit for lip stick use, the invention is not so limited and it is broadly contemplated for the sampling of medicinal sticks, hardened ointments, artists materials, and other cosmetics, such as eye pencils and make-up sticks.

What is claimed as new and useful is:

l. A sampling unit for a cosmetic or the like comprising a tubular body formed of imperforate sheet material scored to form longitudinally extending panels foldable into fiat form for mailing, an end flap integral with one of the panels at one end thereof and foldable from a position coplanar with said one panel into a position wherein said flap is directly seated on the associated end portion of said body in overlying, closing relation thereto, means for securing said flap in said last-named position, and a sample of cosmetic applied to the exposed face of said flap, said body serving as a handle for application of the specimen material carried by said flap.

2. A sampling unit for a cosmetic or the like comprising an elongated body formed of a single blank of sheet material scored to facilitate folding of said body into flat form for mailing, said body having at one end thereof an integral flap foldable from a position extending longitudinally of said body into a position extending transversely across said one end of the body, means for securing said flap in said last-named position, and a sample of cosmetic applied to the exposed face of said flap, said body serving as a handle for application of the cosmetic carried by said flap.

JosE' MACIAS-SARRIA.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 691,972 Rice Jan. 28, 1902 1,603,842 Colpe Oct. 19, 1926 1,707,788 Felten Apr. 2, 1929 1,826,558 Matchett Oct. 6, 1931 1,828,448 Seidel Oct. 20, 1931 2,358,943 Smith Sept. 26, 1944 

